Electrolytic cell



(No Model.)

T. GRANEY. ELECTROLYTIC CELL.

No. 498,771. Patented June', 1893.

Win aSSESI Tn: mams PETERS co, Now-mmc.. wAsHlNGTovr. u. z:4

Ntra

THOMAS CRANEY, CF BAY CITY, MICHIGAN.

ELECTRO LYTICLCELL.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 498,771, dated June 6, 1893.

Application filed October 10, 1892 Serial No. 448.392. (No model.)

To a/ZZ whom it may con/cern.-

Be it known that L'IHoMAs CRANEY, a citizen of the United States, residing at Bay City, in the county of Bay and State of Michigan, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Eleetrolytic Cells, of which the followingr is a specification, reference being had therein to the accompanying drawing.

This invention relates to that class of electrolytic cells in which carbon anodes are used, and the invention consists in acombined -carbon anode and electrolytic diaphragm all as more fully hereinafter described, and shown in the annexed drawing, which is a vertical, central section of an electrolytic cell embodying my invention.

A is the electrolytic vessel, B the liquid to be electrolyzed and C the cathode.

D and E are two perforated holders, one within the other and forming the intermediate space F between them. This space F is filled with a non-decomposable porous-material, such as asbestus or other like material commonly used for forming electrolytic diaphragms. The inner holder E is filled with relatively coarse particles of carbon whereby interstices are formed between the particles for the passage of the liquid to be electrolyzed. This carbon contained in the inner holder forms the anode and it is connected electrically in any suitable manner with an electric terminal Grof the source of electricity, preferably by embedding the terminal in a solid pencil H of carbon for vthe escape of the gaseous products should any form at the cathode. I extend the anode through the cover I of the vessel and provide the projecting end with perforations J, through which such gaseous products are adapted to escape. However, the gaseous products may be carried off through a suitable lateral exit pipe K, shown in dotted lines.

L represents another escape pipe for the escape of the gaseous products from the cathode compartment.

In practice, if my clectrolytic apparatus is used for instance for the decomposition of metallic salts in solution, the same is filled within the vessel B to about the height of the line indicated thereon and whichline is above the perforated portions of the two holders. Through these perforations the liquid will readily permeate through the porous material of the diaphragm into the carbon anode and fill the interstices between the particles of carbon. It will be seen that in this construction the holder of the anode forms the anode compartment and the gaseous products therefore will be formed within said holder and their escape will be permitted'by filling the holder with relatively large particles of carbon and rising to the top of the holder they are permitted to escape through the perforations J,while the carbon pencil in which the wire terminal G is embedded protects the same 'from disintegration.

It is well understood that in theelectric decomposition of some metallic salts such as a chloride of sodium, even anodes substantially composed of carbon are liable to disintegration and thereby interfere with the permanency of the apparatus. By combining my carbon anode directly with the diaphragm the porous material of which the same is formed retains the disintegrated particles of carbon and prevents them from mixing with the product to be obtained in the cathode chamber and furthermore in forming the diaphragm in thisV manner, the supporting wall or holder of the carbon anode forms a`t the same time one of the supporting walls of thediaphragm and thus economizes space and makesA the construction at once very simple and effective.

What I claim as my invention is l. In an electrolyt-ic cell, a combined anode and diaphragm consisting of two perforated holders, one within the other, a porous non-decomposable material packed between the cells of the holder andacarbon anode mainly composed of a filling of coarse particles of carbon contained in theinnerholderandformingopen interstices for the passage of the liquid to be electrolyzed, substantially as described.

2. In an electrolytic cell, a combined carbon anode and diaphragm, consisting of two perforated holders, one within the other, a porous non-decomposable material packed between the cells of the holders, a filling of relatively coarse particles of carbon and means for the escape of the gas from the inner holder.

3. In an electrolytic cell, the combination with the vessel A containing the cathode, of a combined anode and diaphragm consisting of the perforated holders D and'E, the filling ICO of nondecomposable porous material F be- In testimony whereof Iafflx my signaturein tween the holders@ filling of particles ot' carpresence of two Witnesses. bon L in the inner holder, the perforations J in the upper end of the holder E and the ter- THOMAS CRANEY. minal G embedded in the carbon pencil H, all Vitnesses: arranged to operate substantially as and for M. B, ODOGHERTY,

the purposev described.

N. L. LINDOP. 

